This page contains abstracts regarding the first four of the Ten Commandments, which relate to loving God. Click on a hyperlink to view an entire article.
Hierarchy of Commandments
All the commandments in the bible, both Old Covenant and New form one hierarchical set. The Ten Commandments are based upon the two great commandments, to love God and to love our neighbour. And all the other commandments are based upon the Ten Commandments. (2,600 words)
God the Creator
Although God is greater than creation, the creation teaches of His power, wisdom, and glory. (600 words)
Creation
Neither physics, nor biology is adequate to explain the origins of matter or life. Indeed a scientific evaluation shows that the answer lies elsewhere, hidden in the mind of God. God has shown His creative power in the first chapter of the Bible. We should not allow controversies about the length of days in Genesis, (I believe the days are eras) to prevent us from understanding the glory of creation. By combining science with Scripture a wonderful picture of God’s gradual creation emerges. This picture correlates so well with both science and Scripture that we are led to believe that the Scriptures were inspired by God. (5,000 words)
Roles in Creation
Creative power is attributed to both the Father and the Son. This can be reconciled by attributing the laws of physics and the creation of matter in the Big Bang to the Father, and the assembly of the Solar System. But the events upon earth, and the creation of life on earth to the Son. Where God speaks, saying, Let there be, as for light, this can be taken as an instruction from the Father to the Son to create. When God says, Let us make, this can be taken to imply the joint action of the Father and the Son, as when God made mankind. (1,400 words)
God our King Not Man
It is optimum when God is our Lord and men are only our teachers. Appointing lower ranked deacons instead of elders, to administer non-spiritual matters helps the elders not to impose too much authority. Elders should cater to the spiritual needs of their flock, and concentrate on preaching the next sermon. Giving too much authority to men, may lead to feeling restricted, and ultimately lead to sin. (1,200 words)
God our Rewarder
We do not obtain greatness by commending ourselves, but by goodness, as judged by God. If we advertise our good works, so as to be esteemed in the sight of men, we shall receive no reward for such works from God. We should not glory in might, riches or wisdom, nor should we boast. (1,000 words)
God’s Chastening
No man is so perfect that they will always do the right thing only for the purest motives, although this may be a good ideal. Therefore we need not only faith, hope and love in our hearts to inspire us, but also, occasionally, God the Father’s corrective chastening. (800 words)
God’s Soul
God does not think about man in legalistic terms. He is not furious with everyone, just because they are not perfect. To the contrary He loves us, and the reason for His anger is that He is grieved when we are cruel to Him or to our neighbour, whom God also loves. We should not believe the hideous doctrine that God cannot think about anyone without wanting to judge them, and that only by pretending they are Christ, can He avert His anger. If this were true how then could God have graven us upon the palms of His hands. (1,500 words)
God’s Protection
God protects from tricks of men, war, calamity, plague, injury, and wild animals. Ultimately it is God who determines the course of events in our life, and Satan, man, and beast can only do what God allows. God is sovereign and says: Fear not, I will help thee. (1,400 words)
No Other Influence
For the influence of God’s Holy Spirit to fill us we must be careful regarding our whole manner of life, not to be subject to anything false or evil. Other influences such as drugs, fellowship with other religions, and angel worship can all quench the influence of the Holy Spirit. We must also choose good friends, and not waste our energies obeying rituals. (1,600 words)
Prayer
While some may say that they pray that God may answer, God says, I answer, that you may pray. This is because God desires our fellowship. Therefore it is good to focus on praise and worship and the spiritual needs of the church, rather than petty details regarding house renovations etc. When praying for material things our prayers should be brief. (7,700 words)
Suffering for Christ
All Christians are called upon to suffer and those who refuse it shall lose their reward. But if we suffer we shall also reign with Him. We may suffer false accusation, grief, imprisonment, and death. In suffering, we follow the example of Jesus Christ. But God uses the persecution to perfect us and to proclaim His word. (3,900 words)
Trust God in Battle
Although it is somewhat incongruous for man who has been created, to discuss the merits of the One who has created him, the bible assures us of God's trustworthiness in battle against our enemies. (2,000 words)
Finding Gods Will
Jesus is our Shepherd. We are His sheep and need guidance because of the insufficiency that no man knows all that is necessary for the rest of his life. God leads in two ways: by giving us wisdom; and by giving us more specific direction. When giving us wisdom, the Lord speaks to us in three ways: through godly counsel; through reading the bible; and through the voice of the Spirit. Not all decisions must be made by God. God gives us freedom to use our own wisdom, even as He gave Adam freedom to choose the names of the animals. Guidance is a privilege, and brings peace and assurance. But this privilege is only to those who are concerned with God’s word and are good. (4,600 words)
Idolatry
Idolatry is where we believe that God is in an object. But God is in heaven, upon the throne. God is not everywhere, but neither s He confined to a certain place. (3,500 words)
Vision of God
It is good to meditate upon His appearance, that we might understand His glory. Though God is Spirit not body, he was seen by Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel and John. (1,000 words)
Vision of Son
The Son of God has a body, resembling bronze, and has been seen by many apostles. (1,800 words)
Worshipping the Name
This article discusses the positive aspects of hallowing God’s name, in obedience to the third commandment. And it explains the meaning of Jahovah, which is, I believe the correct pronounciation of God's name. (3,300 words)
God’s Divine Titles
I will discuss some adjectives that have been compounded with the word El for God. So intrinsic are these to God’s nature, that in the case of El Kanna’, they become a title for God. This article was written as a praise resource. (2,600 words)
Titles of JAHOVAH
This article discusses some attributes which the bible associates with God’s name Jahovah. Sometimes , as in the case of Jahovah Tsidkenu (Jahovah our Righteousness), these attributes are used as a title for God. And even when they are not, they are intrinsic to His character. This article was written as a praise resource. (5,300 words)
Christ’s Titles
The name of the Son of God is Jesus, and His official title is Christ. As Christ He fulfils the roles of prophet, priest and king. He has also a wonderful name known only to God. This article was written as a praise resource. (2,000 words)
Remember the Sabbath Day
The Sabbath, being part of the moral law rather than the ceremonial law, remains valid, as taught by Jesus, and understood by His disciples. It will remain valid for eternity. Man will always need rest and will always need a special time for worship. But the Sabbath is also part of a wider principle, that we do not struggle under burdens, but receive God’s help, being coworkers with Him. (5,800 words)